Queensland CAN roadmap: The climate solution plan creating jobs that cut pollution

Queensland Conservation Council and independent experts from Accenture have modelled a Qld Climate Action Plan roadmap outlining how Queensland CAN cut pollution by 60% by 2030 and create 87,000 climate solution jobs. 

The reality is that Queensland has a lot at stake when it comes to climate impacts, but if we make the right choices, we also have a lot to gain. 

Our communities and ecosystems are already facing devastating impacts from climate-induced disasters like droughts, flooding and coral bleaching. And it’s Queensland communities who can demand the action we need to cut pollution by building climate solutions. 

Our landmark report outlines a clear roadmap that the Queensland Government could take, made up of three new clean industries and eight policy reforms including:

• Repower Queensland with clean energy ~53,000 jobs
  • Build 25 GW new renewable energy by 2030
  • Build 5 GW of renewable storage
  • Accelerate rooftop solar and electrify old gas
    

• Lay the foundation for a gigaton-scale land carbon industry ~10,000 jobs
  • Reset the Land Restoration Fund
    

• Accelerate clean exports ~24,000 jobs
  • Invest in 6GW of green hydrogen
  • Build battery manufacturing
  • Tighten coal mine methane regulation
  • Curb methane from cattle

The Queensland CAN roadmap shows that 6 of every 10 new jobs in this plan would be regionally-focused, providing huge economic benefits for communities across Queensland.

Regional and rural Queensland punches above its weight when it comes to natural resources, with the CAN roadmap showing that Queensland has the most abundant solar and wind power in the nation. 

Unfortunately, we are lagging behind almost all other states and territories when it comes to climate targets, with the Queensland CAN roadmap providing a scorecard that puts us in 6th place behind SA, Vic, NSW, Tas and the ACT.

Queensland’s current 2030 targets include;

• 50% renewable energy 
• 30% emission reductions on 2005 levels
• Zero net emissions by 2050

As outlined in the Qld CAN roadmap, if the Queensland Government maintains these targets, we will not come close to aligning with the goals of the Paris agreement which aim to keep warming below 1.5 degrees. 

We have the natural resources, industrial skills and love for our people and places to build the climate solutions we need - now we just need the political leadership to make it happen. 

The Queensland Government has a responsibility to support regional communities to make the most of these clean industry opportunities and to protect our world-renowned natural wonders. 

The report demonstrates that currently, Queensland is one of the highest per capita carbon emitters in the world, falling only behind Alberta (Canada) and Qatar. We make up 32% of Australia’s carbon emissions with over ⅓ of Queensland’s emissions coming from coal and gas powered electricity. To protect our communities and ecosystems, we need the Queensland Government to build climate solutions that cuts the pollution fueling Queensland climate disasters.

Now is the critical moment for our Government to become a leader in climate solutions. The Qld CAN roadmap demonstrates that our state is well-placed to be ahead of the international market and benefit from opportunities in domestic and global clean industries, but we need our elected representatives to agree that Queensland CAN take climate action now. 

Communities are already demanding action, let’s increase the pressure to make it happen. 

Check out the full report below or watch the launch recording.

OR Check out the 4 page summary here: